Book Review: A Pug's Tale by Alison Pace

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  There are pugs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Hope McNeill has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for years, but this is the first time she's been able to bring along her pug, Max. (Officially at least. Previously she's had to smuggle him in inside her tote bag.)

The occasion: a special "Pug Night" party in honor of a deep-pocketed donor. Max and his friends are having a ball stalking the hors d'oeuvres and getting rambunctious, and making Hope wonder if this is also the last time she gets to bring Max to the museum.

But when a prized painting goes missing, the Met needs Hope's--and Max's--help. In her quest for the culprit, Hope searches for answers with an enigmatic detective, a larger-than-life society heiress, a lady with a shih tzu in a stroller, and her arguably intuitive canine. With luck, she'll find some inspiration on her trips to Pug Hill before the investigation starts going downhill...

My Thoughts:  Hope McNeill has a great job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a sweet and loving boyfriend, Ben and the cutest pug, Max. 

During "Pug Night" at the Museum, Hope finds out that one of the famous paintings has been stolen and replaced with a copy.  She soon starts receiving mysterious emails that give her clues and send her on a scavenger hunt throughout the museum.

I really loved this book!  It was a fast read but had enough mystery to keep my attention.  I loved the descriptions of Max and his snorting.  I liked how he would appear to Hope in her dreams to help her solve various clues.

What I really liked about this book, aside from the mystery and comedy, was the fact that you did not have to read the first book (Pug's Hill) to understand the second.  I was easily able to fall in love with Hope and Max and Daphne and Madeline.  I wasn't completely surprised by the ending but didn't have it completely figured out either. 

I was able to curl up on my couch and read this book all in one sitting (of course, my kids were at their grandparent's so that made it easier).  It was a funny, mysterious and fast read and great for animal lovers.